What does car shipping cost?
Get your custom car shipping cost with CDT’s Auto Transportation Cost Calculator.
Get An Instant Car Shipping Quote
How does car transport work?
Vehicle transport, or car transport, is simply a service that moves automobiles from one destination to another. As the customer, you have the option to ship via open transport (you’ll save more this way) or enclosed carrier (better protection, higher cost).
How much does it cost to ship a car?
Car shipping costs average at around $1.95/mile for shorter distances (1-499 miles). Shipping a car medium distances will cost you about $.93/mile (500-1499 miles). Long-distance auto transportation trips (1500+ miles) cost about $.57/mile.
Examples
Get an accurate quote and calculate costs instantly for shipping your vehicle. Click here to get an instant car shipping quote. Call us if you have any questions at all – (866) 588-8749.
How do I get an accurate car shipping quote?
Getting an accurate shipping quote for your vehicle is quick and easy. You can get an instant quote online or by calling your chosen transport company. Don’t forget to let them know if you require an expedited pick-up for your automobile.
Information You’ll Need For A Quote
- Pick Up And Delivery Destinations (Zip Codes Preferred)
- Auto Transport Preference (Open or Closed Trailer)
- Vehicle Year, Make, & Model
- Operational Status (Forward & Reverse Driving With Basic Steering)
- Earliest Available Pick-Up Date
Background Information On The Auto Transport Industry
When shipping a vehicle, there is typically a collaboration of three types of companies: brokers, carriers, and lead providers.
Lead providers will supply vehicle owners with a list of “leads”, or potential transport carriers, based on the owner’s search criteria. The owner is responsible from there to research and contact their carrier of choice based on budget and needs.
Carriers are the ones who actually pick up, transport, and deliver your car. Working directly with a carrier is possible but comparatively, when using a broker instead you’re not limited to one option as brokers have thousands of carriers in their network.
Brokers work as a middle man between vehicle owners and carriers, able to find the absolute best-suited solution for the highest value. Brokers will help you get a quote and plan every detail of your shipment.
CDT Auto Transportation is one of the nation’s most trusted auto transport brokers, allow us to help. You can give us a call at (866) 588-8749 to speak with a car shipping specialist and schedule transport with our trusted network of carriers.
Components Of Calcuting Auto Transportation Costs
The main factor in determining your price will be the total distance. Longer distances will typically lead to a more costly car shipping price but with that being said, there are discounts per mile. Use our instant quote form at any time to get an accurate price for your needs.
The cost of your transportation service will also depend on how far out you book from your shipping date. The further in advance you book, the cheaper it will be. As soon as you know that you’ll be shipping a car, it’s best to compare quotes and book your choice.
The majority of people who use an auto transport service choose open car transport as it’s the standard and most cost effective option. If you’re looking for a more protective auto transportation experience, you’ll want to select an enclosed auto transport trailer. This option will shield your vehicle from the elements and road debris. Enclosed auto transportation will result in a higher cost but will also provide invaluable peace of mind.
In order to provide an accurate price, you’ll be asked for the vehicles make and model because the truck driver must know exactly how much space will be required to safely secure your vehicle. Taller and longer vehicles typically require transport adjustments, thus resulting in a higher cost for service. Also keep in mind that certain vehicle modifications like larger sized tires and roof racks can increase the cost too. For questions please call us at (866) 588-8749.
If your vehicle is running with no issues, you’ll get a cheaper auto transport price. However if your vehicle inoperable but still retains the ability to roll, steer, and brake, it can be loaded with a winch. This will increase the cost of your car shipping price.
If you’re shipping from a larger metropolitan area it’s much easier to arrange a truck for transport which lowers the price you pay. If you reside far away from major highways, you can elect to meet the truck driver at a designated location for a better cost and sometimes quicker service overall.
The price you pay for car shipping will increase depending on the time of year. For example, utilizing auto transport services to warmer states during the “snowbird season” will impact price as there’s much more demand. We recommend using our car shipping calculator to get a price quote and depending on your flexibility try different dates for a cheaper price.
Our Auto Transportation Services
Door-To-Door Car Shipping
If your home has enough space for loading and unloading, our driver can come directly to you. This option is not always available depending on where you live but is worth considering.
Open Car Shipping
The best value to be had is with open trailer shipping. Select this option to save nearly 35% or more on your transportation service. If you’re shipping a luxury or vintage vehicle we recommend other options.
Expedited Auto Shipping
Placing an expedited auto shipping order can have your car shipping start in as soon as 24-48 hours.
Call us at (866) 588-8749 to schedule vehicle pick up the moment you need it.
Enclosed Car Shipping
This option will ensure your vehicle is completely covered when being transported and is best used for classics, exotics, luxury, and vintage cars. This method comes with a slightly more expensive cost.